The First Step: Decide Which Program Fits Your Situation
Social Security runs two separate disability programs, and which one you use depends on your work history. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with little or no work history, or very low income and resources. You cannot hold both at the same time, but you can switch from one to the other if your circumstances change.
SSDI requires that you have worked long enough and recently enough to have built up work credits. SSI has no work requirement but has strict income and asset limits—in 2024, you can own no more than $2,000 in countable resources (the limit is $3,000 for a couple). If you are unsure which program you may have access to for, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can tell you during your initial contact.
Your age also matters. If you are under 18, only SSI is available. If you are 18 or older, either program may be open to you depending on your work history and income.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI requires a work history; SSI does not, but SSI has strict income and asset limits.
- You start a claim by contacting Social Security in person, by phone, or online—not through a doctor or hospital.
- The SSA will ask for medical records, work history, and details about your daily life before they make a decision.
- Initial decisions take three to six months on average, and most first claims are denied.
- If you are denied, you have the right to appeal, and many people succeed on appeal or at a hearing before a judge.
How to Contact Social Security and Start Your Claim
You have three ways to begin: call, visit an office in person, or start online. The phone number for Social Security is 1-800-772-1213. You can call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the week.
If you prefer to visit in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator. You do not need an appointment, but you can request one to avoid a long wait. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it.
You can also start online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability for SSDI or ssa.gov/applyforSSI for SSI. The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and return later. After you submit, a Social Security representative will contact you by phone to finish the process.
Whichever method you choose, Social Security will assign a case worker to your claim. Write down their name and phone number—you will need it to check on your case status and submit documents.
Documents and Information You Will Need to Provide
Social Security will ask for the same core set of documents no matter which program you are claiming. Have these ready before you call or visit:
- Your Social Security card or a record of your number
- A photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Your birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or green card)
- Names and addresses of all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you in the past three years
- Dates of any hospital stays or surgeries
- A list of all medications you take, with the names of the doctors who prescribed them
- For SSDI only: your W-2 forms or tax returns from the past year
- For SSI only: proof of income and resources (bank statements, rent receipts, proof of any benefits you receive)
You do not need to submit all of this at once. Social Security will ask for specific items as they review your case. However, having this information ready speeds up the process.
What Happens After You Submit Your Claim
After you file, Social Security sends you a notice confirming they received your claim. This notice includes your claim number and your case worker's contact information. Keep this notice in a safe place.
Social Security will then contact your doctors and hospitals directly to request your medical records. This usually takes two to four weeks. You can speed this up by calling your providers yourself and asking them to send records to Social Security. Give them your claim number and your case worker's name.
While Social Security gathers records, a disability examiner reviews your case. They look at whether your condition meets the Social Security definition of disability: you must be unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The examiner also checks whether you have worked enough (for SSDI) or meet the income limits (for SSI).
The examiner may order a consultative exam—a medical appointment paid for by Social Security to fill gaps in your records. If this happens, Social Security will tell you where and when to go. You do not pay for this exam.
Timeline From Claim to Initial Decision
Most initial decisions take three to six months. Some take longer if your medical records are hard to obtain or if your condition is complex. Social Security will not give you a firm date, but your case worker can tell you roughly where your claim stands in the review process.
You will receive your decision by mail. The notice will say whether you were approved or denied. If approved, it will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If denied, the notice will explain why and tell you how to appeal.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Claim filed | You submit your process by phone, in person, or online | Same day or next business day |
| Records gathering | Social Security requests medical records from your providers | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Examiner review | A disability examiner reads your file and may order a consultative exam | 4 to 12 weeks |
| Initial decision | You receive approval or denial notice by mail | 3 to 6 months total from filing |
What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied
Most people are denied on their first claim. This does not mean you cannot receive benefits—it means Social Security did not find enough medical evidence that you meet their definition of disability at that moment. You have the right to challenge this decision.
Your denial notice will include a important date to appeal, usually 60 days from the date on the notice. Do not miss this important date. You have four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before a judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who succeed do so at the hearing stage, where a judge reviews your case and hears from you directly.
You can represent yourself at any stage, but many people hire a disability lawyer or non-lawyer representative. These representatives work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent) only if you win. They do not charge you upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my claim is being decided?
Yes. Working does not automatically disqualify you, but your earnings matter. For SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without affecting your benefits. For SSI, the limit is much lower. Tell Social Security about any work you do—they will calculate whether it affects your claim.
What if I do not have medical records from my doctors?
Social Security will request them for you, but this takes time. You can speed things up by calling your providers and asking them to send records directly. If a provider has closed or you cannot reach them, tell your case worker—the examiner can sometimes work with older records or medical evidence you provide yourself.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. You can file and represent yourself at every stage. However, a lawyer or representative can help you gather evidence, prepare for a hearing, and present your case to a judge. Most people who hire representation do so after a denial, not before.
What counts as a disability under Social Security rules?
Social Security has a list of conditions that automatically may have access to if your medical records match the criteria. These include cancer, heart disease, and severe mental illness. If your condition is not on the list, you must show that it prevents you from doing any work, not just your current job.
Can I file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time?
You can file for both, and Social Security will process both claims. However, you can only receive one benefit at a time. If you may have access to for both, Social Security will pay you whichever amount is higher, and you will be on the program that makes sense for your situation.